Sports News

Three MHS wrestlers qualify for state meet

Alex Pratt (top) won his match with a pin in regional action at Mathews High School on Friday. (Photo by Larry Chowning)

by Larry S. Chowning

The Middlesex High School wrestling team will send three wrestlers to the State Group A wrestling meet in Salem this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21.

John Shaw, Ean Reed and Craig Conley finished fourth or better in their weight divisions at the Region A meet at Mathews High School last weekend to qualify.

As a team, the Chargers finished eighth overall in Region A. Mathews finished first, Washington and Lee was second and Northampton third.

Shaw was second in Region A’s 103-pound weight class, the highest place of any Charger grappler. Shaw won three of four matches. He lost in the championship round.

“John is a very tough little man,” said MHS coach Lee Anderson. “He is strong and smart and, for a first-year wrestler, is outstanding.”

Conley finished fourth in the 189-pound division with two wins and two losses, and Ean Reed had to post a major comeback to finish fourth in the 160-pound class. He also had two wins and two losses.

“Craig is one of the most physically strong 189-pounders in the state,” said Anderson. “I think he is going to surprise some people at the state meet.”

“Ean had a major comeback to qualify for the state,” said Anderson. “In the final and determining match, he was way behind on points when he ‘walked a wing and a wrist’ (wrestling move) and pinned his opponent to come back and win. It was very exciting and it earned him a trip to the state meet.”

After Friday night’s matches, Middlesex was in fourth place behind Mathews, Washington and Lee and Northampton, but after the final matches Saturday the Chargers had fallen to eight overall. “We have a very young team and I am very proud of what they have done this year,” said Anderson.

Others to place in the competition were Cameron Wines, fifth with two wins and two losses in the 119-pound division; and Austin Bushong, sixth with two wins and three losses in the 125-pound division.

Also, Evan Lefevre finished sixth in the 135-pound division with two wins and three losses; Alex Pratt was fifth in the 171-pound division with two wins and two losses; and Corey Keeling was fifth in the 215-pound division with two wins and two losses.

“It’s been a good year and if we keep working we will keep making strides in this region,” said Coach Anderson.